New apps aim to prevent texting while driving

Texting while driving is illegal in Maine

It is a bad habit and illegal in Maine, but many people can’t seem to stop texting while driving. Now there are a number of apps on the market aimed at helping drivers out.

Many experts said texting while driving can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.

South Portland police officer Rocco Navarro said texting while driving is a problem he sees all the time.

“It’s pretty cut and dried. You pull up to a row of cars, you look in the window, you see people going like this, you know they're not making a call, said Navarro.

Even though there are laws in Maine to prevent distracted driving, Navarro questions whether they are helping.

“I don't think our accidents have gone down at all. I hope one day we drift towards totally hands-free like a lot of states are doing. I think that would have more of an impact,” said Navarro.

Not only does Navarro see the dangers of distracted driving, he has also been a victim.

Two years ago, he was helping with a broken down car on the Casco Bay Bridge when a man who was texting and driving slammed into the back of his cruiser.

“I don't remember too much, because I totally got knocked out. My head snapped back and knocked this pad into this glass here. I just remember waking up in the hospital,” said Navarro. “Looking back on my road to recovery, it's kind of surreal knowing it was a text message that did that to me.”

State Highway Safety Director Lauren Stewart said road related deaths in Maine went after the distracted driver laws went into effect, however they still remain below the 10-year average.

“My question is, ‘Do we need that constant contact or can you put that phone away or turn it off for five minutes while you're driving?’ Very few of those text messages are actually an emergency. They can wait,” said Stewart.

That has some companies creating apps to prevent people from even being able to text behind the wheel in the first place.

Some popular ones include Drive Alive, SAFECELL app and iMaddicted.

Drive Mode is another app offered by AT&T that stops your phone from receiving texts, calls or emails when you are on the road.

When someone tries to contact you, the app sends them a text saying you will respond when you are not behind the wheel.

“This is the standard, ‘I'm driving and unable to reply. I will get back to you soon,’ When it comes to texting and driving, it can wait, said AT&T Maine President Owen Smith.

Users can set the app to cut off incoming communication when they reach a certain speed, and keep it on until the car has stopped for at least five minutes.

“Really the message is no text is worth dying for, said Smith.

It’s a message Navarro said he fully understands.

“I'm fortunate to even be here, so I never take that for granted.”

Apps designed to kick the texting and driving habit

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Texting & Driving

The dangers of texting and driving, and how to prevent it, are getting more attention. There are several apps that claim to help avoid the distraction. The following are several examples you can find on iTunes and Google Play.